virus

Pets Rats in Illinois, Wisconsin Linked to Seoul Virus Outbreak

January 21, 2017 By Amanda Stewart Leave a Comment

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed that pet rats are to blame for the outbreak of Seoul virus in Illinois and Wisconsin. On Friday CDC officials said that the virus has been confirmed in eight patients and is still being investigated.

What is the Seoul Virus?

The Seoul virus is similar to a hantavirus. The first of known hantaviruses were discovered in 1993. At first the viruses were so confusing to doctors and scientists. In fact, the virus was was dubbed the “Sin Nombre” virus, otherwise known as the virus without a name.

Hantavirus’ first victim was a young man who lived in New Mexico. Although doctors tried everything to save his life, they could not. In 2012, a small outbreak of the virus killed three campers at Yosemite National Park.

“Though Seoul virus is in the hantavirus family, it produces a milder illness than some other hantaviruses,” CDC officials said. If you think you may have been exposed to the Seoul virus there are some symptoms you can be looking out for though.

NBC News reported that the CDC named symptoms such as a “fever, severe headache, back and abdominal pain, chills, blurred vision, redness of the eyes, or rash. In rare cases, infection can also lead to acute renal disease. However, not all people infected with the virus experience symptoms. Most people infected with Seoul virus recover.”

You can only contract the Seoul virus from a rodent. According to CDC officials, “The virus is not spread between people and cannot be transmitted to or from other types of pets. Rats infected with Seoul virus typically do not appear sick.”

How Did People Get The Seoul Virus?

When people become infected with the Seoul virus they have usually come into contact with fluids from a rodent (or in this case rats). This could include blood, saliva and urine. People are able to contract the virus easily if they are in regular contact with rodents because the animal will likely not show any symptoms.

The first patient discovered to have the Seoul virus was a resident of Wisconsin. They were admitted to the hospital with flu-like symptoms, according to CNN, and was a home-based rodent breeder.

All of the cases discovered in the two Northern states are “the first human cases we’ve seen in the United States associated with pet rats,” said Dr. Jennifer McQuiston, a veterinarian and deputy division director. Prior to this outbreak the Seoul virus has been linked only to wild rats in the U.S.

“There was an outbreak reported in Europe previously associated with pet rats, so it’s not the first time this has been associated with pets worldwide,” McQuiston said.

Currently only eight patients have been diagnosed. Both states’ departments of health are attempting to discover who may have been exposed to the Seoul virus. They will be reaching out to ratteries to help identify people who may have been exposed to help prevent an outbreak.

Until the CDC gains control of the Seoul virus outbreak and can be insured that the area is free of the virus the agency is urging U.S. citizens to be cautious. If you come into contact with a rodent (even your pet) you should wash your hands immediately after handling it and do not touch your face. If you’d like to learn more about the Seoul virus, watch the video below:

Have you heard about the woman banned from Facebook for supporting breast cancer survivors? Read more here.

Photos: Kai Schreiber

Rare Respiratory Virus Targets Children in Severe Outbreak Across US

September 8, 2014 By Emma Harrison Clark 4 Comments

Rare respiratory virus targets children in severe outbreak across the US

Hospitals in Denver, Illinois and clusters of the Midwest have reported an outbreak of what health officials believe is a rare and serious respiratory illness. The virus, which is believed to have started in California, is said to be related to both the human enterovirus 68 (HEV68) and the human rhinovirus, which is also known as the common cold.

Time Magazine reports, “HEV68, which almost uniquely affects children, tends to first cause cold-like symptoms, including body aches, sneezing and coughing. These mild complaints then worsen into life-threatening breathing problems that are all the more dangerous to children with asthma. Since viruses do not respond to antibiotics, hospitals have treated the illness with asthma therapies.”

Since August the 18th the Children’s Hospital in Colorado has treated more than 900 cases of the virus. It’s said to be severe and unpleasant, but there have been no reported deaths from the virus at this time.

Dr. Robert Merrick, an Epidemiologist at Blessings Hospital in Illinois said, “We are restricting children under age 12 from visiting Blessing Hospital patients until further notice to reduce the risk of contracting and spreading the virus for all involved, the children who would be visiting and our patients.”

Blessing and other hospitals will be working with the Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to stay on top of the outbreak. This has meant issuing warning posts on social media pages like this one from the Hannibal Regional Healthcare System‘s Facebook page.

“Due to the recent outbreaks of enterovirus infections in Missouri and Illinois, Hannibal Regional Hospital health officials ask that children 16 and under and persons with the following symptoms refrain from visiting patients who are hospitalized at Hannibal Regional Hospital until further notice.”

Symptoms of the virus are similar to the common cold but will increase in severity. If your children are not feeling well, watch out for the following symptoms:

Sneezing
Coughing
Mouth Blisters
Muscle Aches
High Fever
Rashes

The CDC is warning that this virus may ultimately affect thousands of children as it continues to spread. Everyone should take the basic precautions one would take for avoiding the flu such as washing hands often and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with your hands. Symptoms are likely to escalate and worsen if your child is asthmatic. If your child is showing symptoms, immediately contact your doctor for further advice and treatment solutions.

(Photo courtesy of Matteo Bagnoli)

Microsoft Blue Screen of Death Caused by August Update

August 17, 2014 By Emma Harrison Clark 21 Comments

Microsoft is asking users to uninstall an update to avoid the blue screen of death

Microsoft, the maker of popular operating system Windows, has this week asked users to uninstall their latest update after complaints that it was causing computers to crash and give users what has become known as the Microsoft “blue screen of death.” The update bug is apparently a serious one, with users reporting it was causing computers to crash and leave their computer screen blue.

PC World reports that Microsoft has identified three key problems with the update:

“First, fonts that are installed in a location other than the default fonts directory (%windir%fonts) cannot be changed when they are loaded into any active session, essentially locking them in. Second, fonts don’t render correctly. The third issue is the most critical, however… that systems may crash with a ‘0x50 Stop error message’ after the updates are installed.” It appears the problem will apply to the following programs: Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1, plus Windows Vista and Windows Server 2003.

If you’re one of the unfortunates who has downloaded the updates already, don’t panic. There is a solution, which is detailed in the security bulletin by Microsoft. You’ll need to fiddle with the registry files, then enter the recovery environment to delete the .dat file, reboot and then export the file. This will then need to be repeated before you uninstall the update and reimport the font file. It may sound complex but follow Microsoft’s bulletin and you’ll be on the right track.

It’s not the first lot of issues Microsoft has had to deal with this month. On Friday they had to issue a hotfix for Internet Explorer after multiple dialog windows began causing halts and delays. This applied to all versions of Explorer and garnered many user complaints.

The problem with the latest update is yet to be found, but it has notably coincided with Microsoft’s move towards using Patch Tuesday to combine small feature updates into the Windows monthly security update package. This is instead waiting awhile (until a bundle of new features are ready) and then releasing them together in one major update like Windows 8.1.

Whatever the cause, users aren’t happy and Microsoft may need to rethink their update protocol before impatient users start to rethink their loyalty to the brand.

(Photo courtesy of wolfram_schmied)

It’s Only a Matter of Time Before Chikungunya Hits the US

June 14, 2014 By Jeffrey Strain 1 Comment

Rising risk of chikungunya virus in the US

As more and more imported cases of chikungunya show up in the US, official warn it’s just a matter of time before the first case of stateside chikungunya appears. Currently all confirmed cases of the virus have been brought in by individuals who have traveled to areas where the disease is common, such as the Caribbean. While it could be difficult for the disease to start to spread in the US, it’s possible. Officials say it will reach the US at some point in the future, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if there is a confirmed transmission from a mosquito to a person in the US by the end of this summer. This is because if someone returns with the disease and a mosquito feeds on that person, that mosquito can pass the disease onto others. If this happens, the disease may be able to establish a foothold here, and it could become a major health issue in the US.

The disease has already been confirmed to have been imported to the following states from those who traveled abroad:

Arkansas
California
Connecticut
Indiana
Florida
Maryland
Minnesota
Nebraska
Nevada
North Carolina
New York
Rhode Island
Tennessee (suspected)
Virginia
Puerto Rico
U.S. Virgin Islands

The disease has swept across the Caribbean, and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified 17 different Caribbean countries which have recorded outbreaks of the disease as of June 4, 2014. There have been over 135,000 confirmed and suspected cases in the Caribbean according to the Caribbean Public Health Agency, but the number could be much higher, since many cases likely have not been reported. The largest outbreak currently has its roots in the Dominican Republic. Officials from the World Health Organization expect the disease will continue to flourish in these areas for the rest of the summer, as more mosquitoes are able to breed in standing water, which is common in many Caribbean nations.

Due to the widespread outbreak in the Caribbean, the CDC is warning travelers to this area to take precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Anyone who does gets bitten and begins to suffer from fever, headaches, joint pain, joint swelling, muscle pain or rashes (common symptoms of those who contract chikungunya) a few days later should immediately contact their doctor. The disease is rarely fatal, but can cause long-lasting severe symptoms that can inhibit quality of life. It can even be debilitating for some period of time as a person recovers. There currently is no vaccine for the disease, but medication can be given to help with high fevers.

(Photo courtesy of James Jordan)

22 Low-Cost Flu Fighters

November 5, 2009 By Jennifer Derrick 1 Comment

With H1N1 going around and the vaccine in short supply (even the seasonal flu vaccine is hard to come by in some areas), you may want to find other ways to protect yourself this season. While nothing (not even the vaccine) is 100% guaranteed to keep you from getting the flu, there are many steps you can take (most of them free or very low cost) to up your chances of staying well. Most of this is probably stuff your mother told you, but it bears repeating:

Wash your hands: Wash often, with soap, and for longer than you think you need to (about the length of time it takes you to sing the ABC song). Get under the nails and between your fingers. You don’t have to use special anti-bacterial soap, either. Regular soap works fine.

Use hand sanitizer: No soap and water handy? Use an alcohol based hand sanitizer and don’t skimp on the squirt. Use a dollop about the size of a quarter and rub your hands together briskly and for as long as it takes all the liquid to be absorbed. Sanitize or wash after touching any public surface.

Don’t touch public surfaces unless you have to: Cover your hand with your sleeve or a paper towel, or use your elbow or hip to open doors. Use your elbow to turn off the sink after washing your hands, or cover your hand with a paper towel. Sanitize your grocery cart handle before shopping (many stores now provide sanitizing wipes or carry a travel pack with you). The less you touch, the less chance you have of coming into contact with a virus.

Stay at least six feet away from coughs and sneezes: If the person in front of you in line at the store is hacking away, find another line if possible.

Do your holiday shopping online: Avoid the sick crowds at the mall and do as much of your Christmas shopping as possible online.

Avoid crowds: Don’t stop living your life, but understand that any crowded situation presents a risk and try to modify your life to limit exposure. With that in mind, go to the grocery store early in the morning or late at night, if possible. See the matinee of a movie rather than the Saturday night show or wait until the movie loses it’s popularity. If you have to fly, fly at times when the airports and planes are less congested. If you must be in a crowded area, try to find a place as far away from the masses as possible.

Sleep: Well rested people have stronger immune systems than the chronically tired.

Eat well: Get your fruits and veggies for vitamins and don’t overeat (overeating taxes your system and interferes with sleep, making your immune system weaker).

Exercise: Move for at least thirty minutes most days of the week, but don’t overdo it. Studies show that after moderate exercise (not exercising until you drop) the immune system actually cranks up. It subsides again after a few hours, which is why you need to exercise most days of the week to keep the benefit going.

Get outside: Cold air does not cause the flu or colds. When you have a chance, get outside and get some fresh air. If you have to wait for a table at a restaurant or for an appointment and the weather isn’t too bad, wait outside. It beats sitting around in crowded, germy spaces.

Don’t shake hands: It may seem rude, but stop shaking hands. A polite nod and a, “Nice to meet you,” will suffice and given that the flu is going around, most people will understand. They might even appreciate the gesture. At many churches, even the peace handshake has been replaced by a polite wave or nod.

Don’t share food or drink: Don’t drink or eat after others, and don’t put your hands in the communal candy or chip bowl at work. Bring your own food and stash it in your desk. Avoid public water fountains, too, if possible.

Don’t use other’s office equipment: If at all possible use your own phone, pen, keyboard, mouse, stapler, etc. rather than communal items. Sanitizing wipes can help if you must use communal items.

Avoid buffets: Buffets are some of the worst germ factories out there. In addition to the crowds, you’ve got tons of people touching the serving utensils and hacking near the food (a sneeze guard doesn’t help when someone leans under it or is too short for it to matter, like a kid). Trays and tables also aren’t always sanitized very well, either.

Drink a lot: Get plenty of fluids. A well-hydrated system is more resistant to germs than a dehydrated system. Moist mucous membranes in your noes, eyes, and mouth are better at trapping germs than dry ones. This is particularly important in colder weather when the air is dryer and overheated. Avoid caffeine as it has a dehydrating effect on the body.

Don’t go to the doctor unless you’re sick: If at all possible put off any optional, routine office visits until either the pandemic passes or until warmer weather when the numbers will likely go down again. Aside from leaving open spots for those who are really sick, you avoid waiting rooms full of sick people. Obviously if you’re sick or in need of care go to the doctor, but if it can wait a couple of months, let it wait.

Try to keep germs out of your house: Clean your home regularly, particularly heavily used/touched items like doorknobs, refrigerator handles, light switches, toilets, etc. Do laundry regularly. Also take off shoes before entering the house as viruses can slip in on the soles. Wash your hands immediately upon entering your home after shopping, etc. to remove anything you may have picked up.

Don’t touch your face: Germs enter primarily through your eyes, nose, and mouth, so avoid touching your face unless you know your hands are clean. And even then, your hands probably aren’t as clean as you think they are, so don’t do it.

Rethink your entertainment: So much of what we do for fun involves going to crowded restaurants, clubs, theaters, restaurants, and sporting events, or taking the kids to places like PlaySpace or Chuck E Cheese’s for an afternoon of fun. You don’t have to stay home all of the time, but think about staying home a little more to cut your risk of exposure. Maybe only go to those things that you really want to do and find alternatives to the rest. Watch the big game on TV, rent a DVD instead of going to the movies, send the kids outside to play, or drag out the board games. As a bonus, these types of entertainment are cheap, allowing you to cut your budget and your risk of exposure to germs.

Watch your mail: Many people overlook their mail and packages as a potential source of flu exposure because we don’t think of it as a “public” surface. But flu viruses can live on surfaces for up to 48 hours. Think how many people handled your mail. If your carrier is sick, you can pick up her germs from the letters or from your box. Wash your hands after getting and sorting your mail and, if possible, leave as much of it outside as possible. I have a trash can and recycling bin in the garage where I dump as much as possible before bringing it inside. I started this to keep the clutter down in the house, but it works as a germ deterrent, too.

Rethink the holidays: I already mentioned shopping online, but the holidays bring other sources of exposure, as well. Big parties, school functions, family gatherings, travel, overcrowded churches, etc. all increase your risk of exposure. Also during the holidays many people get overtired and stressed, eat a lot, drink too much alcohol, and forego exercising, all of which further weaken the immune system. There are a lot of ways to celebrate the holidays on a much smaller scale that might help keep you healthy this year. If you’re concerned about the flu, consider opting out of some activities and taking better care of yourself this year.

Travel protection: If you do travel, carry some sanitizing wipes and wipe down your plane or train seat area. When you get to your hotel room, wipe down the door handles, phone, light switches and TV remote. Most housekeeping services don’t do these areas. If you rent a car, wipe down the steering wheel, gearshift, and controls.

This all boils down to common sense. Avoid as much exposure as possible to public surfaces and places, keep yourself in optimal condition, and wash your hands often. You may do everything possible and still get the flu, but it is worth trying to reduce your risk and these are all low cost, low effort ways to do that. Even if you’re able to get vaccinated, remember that a vaccine does not offer guaranteed protection, so still take some of these steps to keep yourself safe.